The survey revealed that 53% of game enthusiasts self-identified as male, 46% as female, and 1% as non-binary or chose not to disclose their gender. When it comes to racial breakdown, the results were fairly close to the overall US population, with 75% of respondents identifying as White, 19% as Hispanic, 12% as Black, 4% as Asian/Pacific Islander, and 3% as Native American.
A overwhelming majority of respondents (85%) believed that video games were fun, mentally stimulating… and helped relieve stress. They attributed gaming as a medium that could improve cognition, problem-solving, and teamwork. The survey also revealed that 44% of respondents ranked video games among their top forms of entertainment.
Interestingly, nostalgia played a significant role in what and how people played games. Many respondents reported playing games to relax or have fun, and their choices were often influenced by nostalgic feelings. For the first time, the survey included individuals younger than 18… including those as young as 5. The results showed that Gen Alpha (5-10 years old) were the most likely to play on a weekly basis, while Gen Z and Gen Alpha were more likely to play on game consoles or personal computers.
Notably, “the average game player is now 36 years old,” “having been playing games for 17 years,” suggesting that gaming has become a ⁙⁙⁙long hobby for many. Even more surprisingly, the survey found that over 1 in 3 members of the Silent Generation (78 and older) were playing video games for an hour or more per week.
This suggests that interest in gaming is not solely limited to younger generations. Information for this article was obtained from 2 News Oklahoma KJRH Tulsa.
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In The News:
New data collected by the Entertainment Software Association and YouGov finds more than 190 million Americans play video games for at least one hour a week.
Gamers polled self-identified as 53% male, 46% female and 1% were either non-binary or chose not to identify their gender.
Adults in the survey were 75% White, 19% Hispanic, 12% Black, 4% Asian/Pacific Islander and 3% Native American — fairly close to the overall racial breakdown of the U.S. population.
Majorities of respondents believe video games were fun, mentally stimulating and helped relieve stress. They also believe games could help improve cognition, problem-solving and cooperation with teammates.
Overall, 44% of respondents ranked video games among their top forms of entertainment. Most play to relax or have fun, and many said nostalgia was a big driver in what and how they played.
For the first time this year, the ESA included people younger than 18, as young as 5, in its survey. It found GenAlpha, or kids aged 5-10, were the most likely cohort to be playing games on a weekly basis. Gen Alpha and Gen Z were also the most likely to play on a game console or personal computer.
But the poll shows the average player is now 36 years old and has been playing games for 17 years — which the ESA says is good evidence that for many, gaming has become a lifetime hobby. Even as the tendency to play decreases with age, the ESA found even 1 in 3 members of the Silent Generation, 78 and older, were playing an hour or more per week.
